CLASS interviews Darren McGinn, business development executive at Glencairn Crystal

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Great glassware, as opposed to good glassware, needs to be high quality, robust and have aesthetic appeal. Customers form key opinions based on the glassware their drinks are served in and this reflects on the venue. A delicious drink served in a great glass shows that the venue understands the role glassware can play in enhancing their customers drinking experience and enjoyment and will help to ensure that they keep returning.

A great glass can also subsequently deliver brand awareness and publicity. Customers often share their eating and drinking experiences on social media which is an excellent opportunity to help maintain the image a venue wishes to portray.

On a practical level great glassware is cost saving and reduces wastage. Beware of cheaper alternatives as these are a false saving. Thin and flimsy glasses are easily broken and unable to withstand being washed in a dishwasher. You wouldn’t serve gourmet food on a paper plate so why would you serve your drinks in unsuitable glassware?

2/ Glencairn Crystal produce the Glencairn Glass for whisky – why should whisky be served in a specific whisky glass?

The type of glass you serve your whisky in plays a crucial role in being able to fully appreciate the nose, colour, flavour and quality of the dram. The unique and stylish shape of the Glencairn Glass has been carefully crafted to get the most out of your dram.

Its tapering mouth captures those all-important aromas. The wide bowl allows the fullest appreciation of the whisky colour - this can help indicate age, cask type, or other factors that contribute to the flavour profile. Its shape is also designed to admire the texture, viscosity, and legs of the whisky as it swirls around. Its robust base is designed to be comfortable in the hand and sturdy enough for a bar environment and the dishwasher.

3/ Why has the Glencairn Glass become so successful within the drinks industry?

The Glencairn Glass is now the official glass for whisky and is the world’s favourite whisky glass with millions of glasses being sold all over the world every year.

Before the year 2000, the whisky industry had no singular glass it could call its own, unlike champagne, brandy or wine so Glencairn Crystal’s founder, Raymond Davidson, decided to create a glass that would encourage the user to fully appreciate the nose and palate of a whisky.

His initial prototype glass had been relegated to the filing cabinet for almost 20 years until his son Paul found it whilst looking through samples. It was then discussed with the Master Blenders of the scotch whisky industry and with their guidance and expertise it evolved and became the Glencairn Glass that we know today.

When a quality whisky has been nurtured and cared for by its distillery for years and your customer is looking forward to savouring every drop, it’s important not to destroy the moment. Serving it in a glass that does the whisky the justice it deserves is why the Glencairn Glass continues to be so successful.

4/The Glencairn Glass is your biggest selling glass but what other glassware do you produce for the bar environment?

We produce a wide range of glassware for all types of spirits, wine, champagne and cocktail serves.

Our Glencairn Mixer Glasse is very versatile and in demand. It was originally developed in consultation with the Canadian whiskey industry to allow appreciation of premium whiskies whilst being able to accommodate a mixer or ice, however it is now used for all spirits.

Our Glencairn Gin Goblet is another popular choice. It has been carefully designed to incorporate key features such as a unique lip for easy drinking and it’s shaped to a curve at the top to help focus and enhance the aroma.

5/ How does Glencairn work with and support the on-trade / bar scene?

Up until a few years ago we only supplied to a handful of niche bars that had a large focus on whisky and premium spirits, but in recent times we’ve seen a shift towards the more multi-functional bars appreciating the need for a proper whisky glass amongst the other glassware we provide.

Glencairn collaborates with hotels, bars and restaurants to create unique experiences for customers. This can include special events, tastings, and masterclasses that educate bartenders and patrons about whisky and proper tasting techniques.

We are often asked to create bespoke branded glassware to enhance the venue's offerings, especially given the emphasis on creating visually appealing, social media-friendly photography to promote the venue – something we can offer with a minimum order of one glass. If you visit the Glencairn Glass website: www.whiskyglass.com, you can input a brand name or logo into the 3D visualiser to see how a personalised Glencairn Glass could work for you.

For more details please visit Glencairn Glass or email contact@glencairn.co.uk.